"Locals" are not a new trend. It has existed before - they were just called by other names. This is a form of growth for the younger generation. Now they are called locals (locals - ed. note), before they were "casuals", "skinners". This is an expression of the desire of teenagers to be different, to feel stronger, to feel like leaders. He said this in the studio of "Wake up" on Nova TV, the director of the SDVR, Chief Commissioner Lyubomir Nikolov.
In his words, these young people are trying to somehow grow up in the "hierarchy of the street, where they meet the police". He expressed the opinion that if parents and educational institutions do not take special care of these individuals, they will most likely encounter law enforcement agencies after reaching adulthood, who will initiate pre-trial proceedings against them.
Chief Commissioner Lyubomir Nikolov also explained the profile of the young people who define themselves as "locals". "First of all, we detect children who are between 9th and 12th grade. They wear expensive brand-name clothes and move in groups. In many cases, we have detected them carrying prohibited items with them - batons, sprays, knives. With them - after causing some bodily harm, they leave traces and that's how we catch them. They move in groups, mainly in the center of the capital", explained Nikolov.
And he emphasized that these are "materially well-off children who do not commit the attacks for financial reasons". "They do it to be relevant, famous and most likely to appeal to young ladies with this naughty behavior", emphasized the head of the Sofia SDVR.
And he was categorical that the actions of the police show that the uniformed officers are uncompromising against such acts of violence by the "locals". "Every single illegal behavior of these individuals is registered. These children are being worked on in the Children's Pedagogical Room and in committees in the Sofia Municipality. Absolutely everything they have done is registered and remains behind in time. And it hinders their future," emphasized Chief Commissioner Nikolov.
There are also relapses, but there are also children who have improved after measures were taken, added the head of the SDVR.